Looks like a good news for smartphone users who are still loyal to the BlackBerry brand as the company is set to launch its new smartphone, the Leap.
Renowned for their typical clickable keyboards, Canadian telecom company, BlackBerry is going against the wave with its latest smartphone, the Leap.
According to eWeek, the Leap hopes to attract younger mobile professionals to the brand by moving to a touch screen. The Leap shuts the door on the traditional BlackBerry physical keyboard for a touch screen in order to compete with the Apple iPhone 6, the Samsung Galaxy S6 along with other new smartphones. Introduced in early March, the Leap is about half the cost of premium smartphone like the Galaxy S6 and iPhone.
The BlackBerry Leap smartphone is an escape from the company's most recent products such as Passport and the Classic. Similar to Z10 and Z30, the Leap is a fully touch screen model.
GoodReader noted that the formal ID number is the Z20 and as a matter of fact, it just arrived at the FCC seeking approval. According to the specs put out by BlackBerry, the Leap boasts a 5 inch display with 1280 x 720 HD resolution, 294 PPI, 16GB of expandable storage, 8MP rear camera, and has up to 25 hours of battery life.
BlackBerry's new smartphone will target entrepreneurs as well as start-ups. The Leap is designed to act as an entry-level business smartphone and though its specs can't match the likes of Samsung, Sony and other new smartphones, its battery could be one of its biggest assets.
Cash-strapped startups keen on buying the Leap could come to rely on its 25-hour battery life - provided the Leap can deliver on BlackBerry's promises, specifically when compared to the disappointing performance of devices such as the iPhone.
Features
BlackBerry Keyboard
Now typing fast and accurately is a breeze with the new Leap that boasts a touch screen keyboard that learns how to write. The BlackBerry keyboard provides an effortless typing experience with personalized next-word suggestions, which can be flicked in to messages.
Battery
With the impressive 2800 mAH battery along with optimization of power consumption in BlackBerry 10, Leap delivers battery life that can often outlast a full day.
BlackBerry Hub
Users can now experience inbox Zen with the BlackBerry Hub. Messages from across your professional as well as your personal roles such as social media, email, text and BBM, all appear in one easy-to-manage view.
BlackBerry Assistant
Users can now manage their emails, contacts, calendars along with other BlackBerry 10 features via simple voice and text commands.
Powerful web browsing
BlackBerry 10 browser is recognized as beautiful and amazingly fast by the industry. With unlimited browser tabs, users can access their favorite services and online content faster than ever before.
BBM
Users can chat and share with speed, control and privacy that they can't get on other IM apps. Users can either chat face-to-face with colleagues and friends or have a real conversation on Android, iPhone and BlackBerry.
Priced at $275, the Leap is going to be available in April or May.
